In early August IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol accompanied a trail crew to Conche on the eastern side of the Great Northern Peninsula to begin work on the new Conche To Croque Coastal Trail.
While Paul and trail worker Brandie-Lyn Leafloor departed Conche enroute to flagging the trail to Crouse Peninsula, the remaining crew of (l-r.) Curtis Payne, Tim Dempsey, Caroline Swan, Jason Combdon, and Troy Gaulton “slashed and burned” in their footsteps.
When complete the trail will extend 20 kilometers (12 miles) along the rolling seaside hills that rise to an elevation of 160 meters (500 feet), and offer splendid views of the surrounding headlands, coves, islands, and sea.
A little good timing will also enable hikers to view icebergs and whales, seabirds and sunrises on this remote and unspoiled Atlantic coastline. With a little imagination one can also visualize centuries-old fishing vessels and naval ships plying this little-changed stretch of historic French Shore of Newfoundland.
Along the way hikers can choose to camp on the beach at the site of an old abandoned fishing premise
or take advantage of one of the surviving communities of Conche, Crouse or Croque to arrange a boat ride with a fisherman north or south along the coast.
When complete, the entire Conche To Croque Coastal Trail will be an easy two-day hike. However hikers will be able to make pleasant one day hikes from either Conche or Croque.
To view more photos from the Conche To Croque Coastal Trail go to IATNL Flickr…
